Top of the Props: Our pick of the best new homes for sale in Cambridge

“The science park known as ‘Silicon Fen,’ or the ‘Cambridge Cluster,’ which is connected to Cambridge University and is home to a large cluster of high-tech businesses focusing on software, electronics and biotechnology, attracts a vast amount of wealth into Cambridge from all over the world,” says Mark Lawson, partner at The Buying Solution (mark.lawson@thebuyingsolution.co.uk).

“IT professionals who are keen to join this exciting development zone are buying homes for convenience of location in Cambridge and the surrounding villages. These professionals often make millions in their IT businesses, mostly when they sell their start-ups, but due to their love and admiration of the city they tend to trade up and remain in the region.

“Renowned for its superior education options, the majority of property buyers in Cambridge are school driven, predominantly for the great private schools on offer. There are also the wealthy parents of the University students who buy because their kids are at the renowned and highly regarded Cambridge University.

“Finally, there is the London commuter-driven buyer. With a journey that is sub-one hour into London, many of the residents relish the chance to live in this quintessentially English region but retain their work in the capital. Buyers tend to move to the area to enjoy a relaxed lifestyle, the vibrant village feel and the culture the area holds. Furthermore, there is a certain academic, historical and cultural reputation that Cambridge represents which attracts a number of people, particularly international buyers.”

Bidwells/Hill – Vesta, Cambridge

Vesta is a collection of 79 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for private sale. These are stylish and functional homes for all lifestyles and stages, finished to the highest standards.

The development is situated at the heart of CB1, a thriving area of regeneration in the centre of Cambridge and comprises sleek, creative and contemporary apartments occupying a prime location, just minutes from the city’s train station and planned new transport hub.

Named after the Roman goddess of the hearth, home and family, Vesta sits just north of the hugely popular Ceres development, also by Hill. According to Roman mythology, Ceres and Vesta were sisters, Ceres being the goddess of agriculture and fertility.

Find out more at www.bidwells.co.uk ; 0844 225 1977

Abbotts/Moss Homes – Reflections, Cambridge

Reflections is a prestigious, modern development, inspired by the River Cam and boating, located less than two miles from Cambridge city centre. Making the most of the beautiful surroundings, these riverside homes have stunning views across the River Cam and the beautiful Stourbridge Common beyond.

Each home comes complete with a private mooring, giving you the freedom and luxury of exploring the river at your leisure and experiencing an abundance of wildlife including swans, otters, herons and kingfishers. Alternatively, sit back on the beautiful raised decked area and watch the Cantabrigian Rowing Club practice their strokes.

Prices start at £1.25million.

Find out more at cambridge@abbottscountrywide.co.uk ; 01223 363291

Taylor Wimpey – Papermill Lock, Little Paxton

Brand new waterfront apartments are now on sale at Papermill Lock, with one- and two-bedroom properties enjoying an enviable setting on the banks of the Great Ouse.

Caroline Carter, regional sales and marketing director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “We are delighted to unveil our stunning new apartments, which are already generating a great deal of interest from savvy buyers. By acting now, home-hunters can be among the first to choose their favourite plots. What’s more, by reserving off-plan, they can ensure their property is completed to their personal specifications before they have even been handed the keys, by choosing from our fantastic range of interior options.”

One-bedroom designs are priced from £129,995 and two-bedroom properties from £165,995.

Find out more at www.taylorwimpey.co.uk ; 01284 773800

Annington Homes – Haling Place, Waterbeach

The popular development of Haling Place is located in the charming village of Waterbeach, just seven miles from Cambridge city centre.

This range of refurbished former Ministry of Defence homes offer fantastic value for money, and the ready-to-move-into properties have been in high demand with first-time buyers, commuters and families. A two-bedroom semi-detached house is priced from £239,950.

Each home offers spacious bedrooms and ample room for storage, as well as an allocated parking space. Waterbeach station offers commuters a swift and easy direct train to London King’s Cross in just over an hour.

Find out more at www.annington.co.uk ; 01223 861 877

Kier Living – The Riverside, Little Paxton

This collection of contemporary one- and two-bedroom apartments and four-bedroom, four-storey homes from Kier Living Eastern in the charming village of Little Paxton has an impressive waterside location beside the picturesque St. Neots Lock on the River Great Ouse.

Each of these stylish and spacious new has an enviable amount of outdoor living space with terraces, balconies and spectacular roof gardens in the houses.

Just two miles from St. Neots station and close to the A1 – The Riverside is a great location for city commuters with enviable 35-50 minute train journeys to London King’s Cross or just a 35-minute drive to Cambridge.

Parson’s Prospect is situated in the traditional village of Eye on the edge of the unique and unspoilt Cambridgeshire Fen landscape – but is situated just two miles from the thriving city of Peterborough. The development offers discerning buyers or investors everything from three-bedroom starter homes to four- and five-bedroom family homes.

The village of Eye offers the perfect blend of rural tradition and access to cosmopolitan sophistication through nearby national rail and road links which mean it is within easy reach of Cambridge and London.